Customer Reviews

Juicy Fruit

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This CD launched Mtume (James Mtume) and his band to the forefront of the R&B genre in the 80s. The title song, Juicy Fruit, went #1 for a couple of weeks on the R&B chart and crossed over for a short time as well onto the POP chart. The hitmaking ways of Mtume are quite understandable once you realize that this is the same Mtume who wrote all the hits for Stephanie Mills in her early years, Phyllis Hyman (You Know How To Love Me), Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (Closer I Get To You and Back Together Again). Mtume comes from a great jazz tradition -- he is part of the renown Heath family of jazz musicians, Tooty Heath, Percy Heath (MJQ) and Jimmy Heath. You need to checkout a couple of CDs before Juicy Fruit and the follow-up hit CD, You, Me and He and Theatre Of The Mind. Fantastic music from a great musician, songwriter and thinker.

I think "Juicy Fruit" so dominates over the rest of the album that many people would be dissapointed if they expect songs of similar flavor; I know I was one of them. While "Juicy Fruit" is very chic, shophisticated track, the rest of the cuts are very funky all the way. Now that I have developed an appreciation for funk music, however, the rest of tracks became also very listenable to me. There are a bunch of above-average electronic funk of early-'80s in this album.

Having said that, nothing really comes close to "Juicy Fruit," not because the rest sucks but because "Juicy Fruit" is one of those special songs that can totally convey the color and flavor of the musical style in the specific period in time.

If you are not interested in electronic funk of early-'80s, pass up this album; "Juicy Fruit" can be heard elsewhere in compilation albums.

This album is another jem that every funk lover (Like Me) should have. All the songs on this album are good dance music. If you love funk from the 80's you'll love this album.

James Mtume's group Mtume made a solid album in Juicy Fruit! Even in the same year that Michael Jackson dominated the music charts, this album exploded and had some funky songs too! One of my favorites on this album is Ready for Your Love. Sexy, funky, percolating groove, with Tawatha Agee sounding so soulful on this song. Mary J. Blige needs to do a remake of this song soon. Hip Dip Skipped A Beat is just as hot and Would You Like to Fool Around as well as Green Light are also funky. I don't think that the next two albums they did, could match this one--this was their funkiest album! Still one of the classic '80s albums--and it's finally on CD!

Those in the know, know plently about Mtume. Led by James Mtume and Reggie Lucus, this song writing duo has plenty to offer. They wrote: The Closer I get to you by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway

I remember the first time I heard "Juicy Fruit" on the radio. It was so different and fresh; like nothing that was out there at that time. It's no wonder it rocketed to the top of the R&B chart in 1983. It was also very unusual for a Funk band to preview a new album with a ballad back then, but it worked; it had appeal and people both on and off the dancefloor could relate to it. I saw Mtume live a year later in Boston. Everyone was waving packs of Juicy Fruit gum at the band from the audience! It was really, really funny, I have to admit. Other than the first smash single and the song that would feature an opening Hip Hop beat that would be sampled repeatedly by many (other) artists today, there's a lot to like here. Mtume, which is fronted by a soul sista by the name of Tawatha Agee and by James Mtume himself (the mastermind behind the songs and great production) takes the listener on a sweet little journey of both uptempo and midtempo Funk songs from the Old School era of Soul music (the 80's.) The best cuts are the very tight, "Green Light," "Hips," and "Your Love's Too Good to Spread Around" as well as the title cut and "Would You Like to Fool Around." The silly/funny, "Hipdipskippedabeat" is unforgettable by the fact that it's a Rap song that tells a story about a brotha who's just too hip to be cool. This album was and still IS da bomb, hands down.

This CD is an album I remember back in high school. When Mtume came out, they were a different group with a different kind of sound, especially the title track. Since then, every time I hear it, it gets me kind of nostalgic. Again, good album.

title song is the best on here anyway mtume spokwe out against sampling and ironic he founded the rap group cosmic slop shop plus he's been sampled himself.

this disc was banging.the great talents of James Mtume who i have followed since his days with Miles Davis thru now and Reggie Lucas who has worked with Madonna.this duo has writting alot of great material together.this disc captures the early 80's music scene really well.

Just giving Mtume props for the eternal 80's classic "Juicy Fruit". Love that song with all my heart. I'm paying homage to them for that song.

Note: the 5 stars is only for Juicy Fruit, not for the other songs.